The Kay-built 682
and 680 guitars
were offered as 'Our Finest,' and the fancy appointments to these rare axes
certainly bears that claim out. FIVE-ply binding on the top and back edge, bound
headstock and
f-holes(!), 'double triangle' (I call 'em 'cheese wedge') fretboard markers, a
very fancifully painted colorful headstock logo laminate, and, on early models,
a book-matched back and a fancy bridge added up to one deluxe guitar.
Introduced: 1948
Retired: 1949
Some musings on the
'Aristocrat' nickname.
The 680/682 guitars are quite rare on today's
collector market; I've never even seen a 680 to my knowledge, and the 682s are almost
as scarce. I believe the blonde 682 sold the most simply because that was the one
most prominently featured in catalog illustrations.
Click for catalog listings
